Category Archives: CS-443

Stochastic and Property Based Testing

During this semester we have learned about many different testing techniques, some being a lot easier than others. One of the testing techniques that we have learned is called Stochastic Testing. Stochastic testing is a type of black box testing method in which random tests are conducted over time. These tests are performed by automated testing tools in order to see if the software can pass a large number of individual tests.

Another type of testing technique that we have talked about is Property-based Testing. Property-based Testing is very similar to Stochastic testing. In this testing technique, the testing is also automated. However, it isn’t just executing the tests that is automated, it is also generating the tests. While researching the topic, I came across an article called “What is Property-based Testing?” by Alex Robert. In this article, Robert states “Property-based testing automates that work for us. Test automation allows us to generate better tests with less work and less code, so that we can focus our effort on the less mechanical work developers excel at. Instead of writing tests with manually created examples, a property-based test defines the types of inputs it needs. In the example above with CommonPrefix, the input would be two strings. The property-based test framework will generate hundreds if not thousands of examples and feed them to your test function.” He talks about how property-based testing can create a ton of different examples for your test function in order to help you test your program.

In this article, Robert also talks about input generators and what they do. A generator is a function that returns an instance of a given type from a source of randomness. These generators are great for randomly creating new inputs for the test function. However, they are only efficient if the generators have a good framework in order to help uncover more issues with the code. Robert gives a list of qualities that he thinks would make a good generator. His qualities include: a generator should be fast, a generator should be deterministic, a generator should not waste randomness, and a generator should cover the code under test. Most of these property-based testing frameworks come with a built-in generator which can be extremely helpful for testers, depending on the type input parameter. I really enjoyed reading this article as looking at all of the examples given by Robert helped my understanding of the topic. I know that if I ever need to use this type of testing technique, I will definitely use this article as a reference.

Link: https://www.mayhem.security/blog/what-is-property-based-testing

From the blog CS@Worcester – One pixel at a time by gizmo10203 and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

Chapter 5 of “Apprenticeship Patterns,” the focus shifts to the idea of “Craft over Art

In Chapter 5 of “Apprenticeship Patterns,” the focus shifts to the idea of “Craft over Art,” stressing the significance of valuing craftsmanship and tangible abilities above the quest for flawlessness or artistic flair in the realm of software development.

The chapter commences by drawing a line between craft and art within software development. While art centers on expression and imaginative flair, craft underscores proficiency, accuracy, and excellence. The authors contend that although artistic elements hold merit, software development predominantly hinges on craftsmanship to produce dependable, sustainable, and efficient solutions.

The pattern advises apprentices to embrace a mentality of continual enhancement and expertise in their field. It underscores the importance of deriving lessons from errors, soliciting input, and refining technical abilities through purposeful rehearsal. Instead of chasing after flawlessness or extravagant solutions, apprentices ought to focus on delivering streamlined, easily maintainable code that fulfills its intended function proficiently.

The pattern underscores the significance of humility as a crucial element. It urges apprentices to acknowledge their boundaries and reach out to seasoned professionals for guidance. Through embracing the ethos of craftsmanship, apprentices can foster a mentality of perpetual learning and advancement, consistently aiming to enhance their abilities and contribute more effectively to their teams and endeavors.

This pattern is intriguing or interesting because it directs attention towards the pragmatic and efficient aspects of software development. It confronts the idealized view of coding as a form of art and instead highlights the significance of practical, outcome-driven methodologies. By favoring craftsmanship over artistic expression, apprentices can establish a robust base of technical competencies and behaviors that will prove beneficial over the course of their professional journeys.

This pattern proves beneficial as it offers apprentices a structured and pragmatic approach to their learning and career progression. By stressing the significance of craftsmanship and tangible skills, it assists apprentices in directing their energies towards the core elements of software development: providing dependable, sustainable solutions that cater to user and stakeholder requirements. Furthermore, by embracing humility and seeking advice from seasoned professionals, apprentices can expedite their learning and advancement, ultimately becoming more proficient and accomplished software developers.

Overall, this pattern encourages a mindset that values craftsmanship, technical excellence, and a commitment to delivering tangible results. It can inspire me to approach my intended profession with a greater sense of purpose, discipline, and dedication to continuous improvement.

From the blog CS@Worcester – THE SOLID by isaacstephencs and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

Good Software Testing Practices

The blog post, “Unit Testing Best Practices: 9 to Ensure You Do It Right” focused on highlighting important habits and practices that testers must utilize to increase efficiency and effectiveness. I chose this blog post because as we continue to learn different software testing strategies in class I think it was important to highlight some important aspects that could be utilized as a tester so we can make sure we incorporate these in the future. I thought that this blog highlighted good practices that were covered in class and even added some more.

The blog presented recommendations and strategies for effective unit testing, catering to developers aiming to streamline their testing workflows.The blog begins by explaining the significance of unit testing in software development, highlighting its role in detecting bugs early, ensuring code reliability, and facilitating code maintainability. It emphasizes the importance of adopting a systematic approach to unit testing to maximize its benefits. The blog advocated for writing clear, concise, and focused tests that target specific functionalities or units of code. Emphasizing readability and maintainability, the blog suggests using descriptive test names and organizing tests into logical groups. The blog also addresses the importance of test automation in modern software development. It advocates for automating unit tests to expedite the testing process and ensure consistent test coverage across code bases. By integrating automated tests into continuous integration pipelines, developers can detect regressions early and maintain code quality throughout the development lifecycle.In addition to automation, the blog stresses the significance of test isolation and dependency management in unit testing. Techniques such as, mocking and dependency injection are recommended to isolate units under test from external dependencies. The blog also touches upon strategies for handling test data effectively, including techniques like parameterized tests and test data factories. By managing test data efficiently, developers can enhance test coverage and minimize test redundancy.

After reading this blog post, I believe that I am now more confident and informed about how a software tester should go about testing strategies. Being able to know good testing practices will be beneficial so I can focus on utilizing the skills within my own work. I found it interesting how most of the practices that were being mentioned in the blog were very simple. This makes it even easier to understand and incorporate these rules as they will be easy to remember and become a standard foundation whenever I have to think about writing tests for a project. 

https://www.testim.io/blog/unit-testing-best-practices

From the blog CS@Worcester – Giovanni Casiano – Software Development by Giovanni Casiano and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

Mastering Automates Testing with Selenium and Java

In the ever evolving world of software development, automated testing has become indispensable. Using tools like Selenium combined with Java, developers can automate their web application testing, improving efficiency and accuracy. This blog post delves into the key takeaways from a helpful Sauce Labs article (https://saucelabs.com/resources/blog/writing-tests-using-selenium-and-java) that outlines how to write testes using Selenium and Java, exploring its relevance to our coursework on software testing methodologies

Summary of the Resource:

The Sauce labs article provides a comprehensive guide on writing automates tests using Selenium, a popular tool for web application testing, and Java, one of the most used programming languages. It covers the basics of setting up Selenium with Java, crafting test scripts, running tests, and interpreting the results. The article emphasizes the importance of Selenium for its ability to simulate user interactions with web elements, which is crucial for verifying the functional integrity and performance of web applications. It also touches on integrating these tests into a CI/CD pipeline, demonstrating how automated testing fits into broader software development practices.

Reason for selection:

I selected this article because it offered a practical introduction to an essential skill in software development. As our course covers various testing frameworks and tools, understanding how to implement and utilize these tools in real-world scenarios is crucial. The articles focus on Selenium with Java is particularly relevant, as many of us are familiar with Java and may soon need to apply these skills in internships or jobs.

Personal Reflection.

The article made me appreciate the power and necessity of automates testing in modern web development. It was enlightening to see how Selenium scripts could mimic actual behavior, such as clicking buttons or entering data, which is critical for testing user interfaces. Reflecting on this, I see the immense value in learning automates testing not only to boost my future job prospects but also to ensure that I can contribute to creating robust, user-friendly software.

Application in future practice:

Armed with the knowledge from this article, I am eager to apply these testing techniques in my upcoming projects. Whether it’s for class assignments or eventually in a professional setting, understanding how to set up, write, and deploy automates tests using Selenium and java will significantly enhance the quality of the software I develop and maintain.

Conclusion:

Automated testing is a key component of software quality assurance. The insights provided by the Sauce Labs article on using Selenium and Java for testing offer both foundational knowledge and practical steps for anyone looking to enhance their testing skills. As software becomes increasingly more complex, the ability to efficiently test and validate software functionality becomes even more critical, making these skills invaluable for any aspiring software developer.

From the blog CS@Worcester – Josies Notes by josielrivas and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

CS@Worcester – Kadriu's Blog 2024-04-29 10:30:03

Effective Security Testing for Java Applications(Week-16)

In an era where cyber threats are increasingly sophisticated, the security of Java applications is more critical than ever. Java’s widespread adoption in various industries makes it a frequent target for attacks, underscoring the need for rigorous security testing. This blog post explores key strategies and best practices for security testing in Java applications, ensuring they remain secure against evolving threats.

Why Security Testing Matters

Security testing is crucial in identifying vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers. It allows developers to address these issues before they lead to data breaches or other security incidents. For Java applications, which are integral to many business operations, security testing verifies that protective measures are effective and that the application behaves as expected under attack conditions.

Comprehensive Approaches to Security Testing in Java

1. Static Application Security Testing (SAST): SAST tools examine Java code without executing it, identifying potential security weaknesses early in the development cycle. Tools like SonarQube and Fortify scan code bases for patterns that indicate security risks, allowing developers to rectify issues before deployment.

2. Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST): DAST tools assess the application in its running state, simulating attacks to identify vulnerabilities that only appear during execution. OWASP ZAP and Burp Suite are popular choices for conducting these real-time analyses on Java web applications.

3. Penetration Testing: This method involves simulating real-world attacks to see how the application responds under hostile conditions. Penetration testing provides a deep dive into potential security flaws, combining automated tools with manual testing to uncover vulnerabilities that automated scans might miss.

4. Dependency Checks: Many Java applications rely on external libraries that can introduce vulnerabilities. Regularly auditing these dependencies for known security issues is crucial. Tools like OWASP Dependency-Check analyze libraries to detect vulnerabilities, helping developers update or replace risky components.

Best Practices in Security Testing

  • Integrate Security Early: Incorporate security testing early in the software development lifecycle to identify and mitigate risks before they escalate. Integrating tools into CI/CD pipelines ensures continuous security assessment.
  • Educate Developers: Regular training on the latest security threats and best practices helps developers write safer code. Understanding common vulnerabilities in Java applications empowers developers to avoid these pitfalls in their coding.
  • Keep Software Updated: Regular updates and patch management are essential for closing security gaps. Ensuring all parts of the Java application, including third-party libraries, are up-to-date mitigates the risk of exploiting known vulnerabilities.

Conclusion

Security testing is essential for maintaining the integrity and security of Java applications. By implementing strategies such as SAST, DAST, penetration testing, and dependency checks, developers can significantly enhance their application’s security posture. Coupled with best practices like early integration, ongoing education, and proactive updates, these measures create a robust defense against the cyber threats facing Java applications today. This proactive approach ensures that Java applications are not only functional but also secure, protecting both data and end-users.

From the blog CS@Worcester – Kadriu's Blog by Arber Kadriu and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

Stakeholders

With software development, working in teams is typically normal. Being able to work in a team is important. But what is also equally important is interacting with stakeholders. A team does not make a project just because, typically someone comes up to the team and gives an idea and the team gets to work. That is an extremely watered down version of how it happens, but that is how it works. This can be somewhat confusing so let’s break it down. 

In this blog post, they talk about what a stakeholder is, why they are important and then some examples of a stakeholder. The post defines a stakeholder as a group of people or groups affected by a software development project. They are in the best position to offer specific input on needs at their level. Essentially, they are people who know what they want for this project and those whose interests are important for the project. It is important to get their input on the project because they guide the project in a way. They are able to create a list of things that are needed for the project and a way for the developers to figure out what they are working on exactly. You do not want to ignore the advice of stakeholders and neglect them, as that means the developers are just making the wrong thing. But who is considered a stakeholder? End-users are good to consider, as they are the ones to be using it once it is complete. Knowing their input and how it affects them is important. People like managers, project managers, developers, and partners are all important, as they ensure that certain aspects of the project are doable. Certain authorities are also important to consider, such as shareholders or company owners. It is hard to get everyone in for a meeting on the project all at once, so getting representatives is a better alternative. Determining whether or not their input is needed is also important, as to not waste someone’s time. But again, how do you determine that? There are some questions you can ask, such as “who will be affected by this product,” “how will workflows change,” and “are there any people whose support is vital to the project.” 

Understanding who has valuable input and is able to shape the project will be key to you as a developer, as it lays the foundation and blueprint for what you and your team will be doing. It may be difficult to get everything everyone wants, and you may have to cut some things. But knowing when to do so is up to you and the team.

From the blog CS@Worcester – Cao's Thoughts by antcao and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

Understanding JUnit: A Guide to Automated Testing in Java

What is JUnit?

JUnit is an open-source framework used for automated unit testing in Java. Unit testing involves testing small, isolated units of code to verify that they function as expected. These units could be individual methods, classes, or even a line of code.

When developers write code, they also write tests for that code using JUnit. These tests are then run automatically, checking for any deviations from expected behavior. JUnit provides feedback in the form of pass or fail results.

Why Unit Testing with JUnit?

Unit testing, facilitated by JUnit, offers several benefits:

  1. Early Bug Detection: By writing tests before or alongside the code, developers catch bugs early in the development process. This ensures that issues are addressed promptly and doesn’t propagate further.
  2. Code Reliability: Writing tests encourages writing modular, well-structured code. This leads to more reliable and maintainable codebases.
  3. Confidence in Changes: With a comprehensive test suite, developers can refactor or modify code confidently, knowing that any breaking changes will be immediately flagged by failing tests.

Features of JUnit

JUnit offers several features that make it popular among developers:

  1. Open Source: Being open source, JUnit is freely available for developers to use and contribute to. This fosters a vibrant community and ensures continuous improvement.
  2. Annotations: JUnit provides annotations to identify test methods, setup, teardown, and more. These annotations make test code more readable and maintainable.
  3. Assertions: It includes a set of assertion methods to validate expected outcomes. These assertions help in comparing actual results with expected results.
  4. Test Runners: JUnit has test runners that execute tests and report the results. It supports different types of test runners for various testing scenarios.
  5. Automated Test Running: Tests run automatically without manual intervention. This saves time and effort and provides quick feedback on the code’s health.

JUnit Annotations

Annotations in JUnit provide metadata to methods to control their behavior during testing:

  • @Test: Marks a method as a test method.
  • @Before: Executes before each test method.
  • @After: Executes after each test method.
  • @BeforeClass: Executes once before any test method in the class.
  • @AfterClass: Executes once after all test methods in the class.

Conclusion

JUnit is a vital tool for Java developers, ensuring code quality, reliability, and maintainability. Its features, including annotations and automated testing, make it invaluable in modern software development.

By understanding JUnit and incorporating it into your workflow, you can write better, more robust Java code. Embrace automated testing with JUnit, and watch your code quality soar!

Source: https://www.simplilearn.com/tutorials/java-tutorial/what-is-junit

From the blog CS@Worcester – CS: Start to Finish by mrjfatal and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

Object-Oriented Testing

Object-oriented testing is about ensuring that the object-oriented software works as it should. Testing is important in any project so it’s important to make sure that the code isn’t buggy or crashes. Object-oriented testing has specific techniques that test our object-oriented program by focusing on what matters the most like unit, subsystem, and system testing. Unit testing breaks down each class and test, it helps catch errors and figure out if things are talking to each other as they should be. Subsystem testing is like testing a group of classes together, it shows how they work as a team and how it handles anything outside of it. System testing makes sure to test everything in the system and check if everything works together, leaving a top-notch system. When it comes to object-oriented testing it’s important to look out for bugs, test everything, and clean code sooner rather than later. Testing is about finding any bugs and errors that can be fixed, so looking for those bugs would help solve any problems the software has.  Instead of cleaning up the code after it’s completed, it’s useful to test it early and keep at it so that the issues are fixed sooner rather than later.

I felt like object-oriented testing has given me more information about testing and even though I know that there are different types of testing it’s given me a better idea of how they work. This reading is important for software developers who would rush through their work and not practice clean code because it emphasizes testing earlier to find any errors and clean up code that could make it confusing for other software developers. The reason why I chose this topic is because object-oriented testing is important in software development and without this information, it can cause a lot of problems and more work for developers to do when it’s avoidable and fixable. Object-oriented testing plays a huge role in software development making it important to know how it works and what is easy to detect. It also teaches software developers more about clean code and makes sure that the code is readable and understandable for other developers.

https://goodpractices.home.blog/2019/11/27/object-oriented-testing/

From the blog CS@Worcester – Kaylene Noel's Blog by Kaylene Noel and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

Software Testing Synergy: Leveraging IT Expertise for Optimization

Hey Everyone! As a student in a software testing course, the article “How Integrating IT Support Enhances Software Testing Outcomes” provided insightful perspectives that directly relate to our classroom lessons on implementing robust and comprehensive testing strategies. Having a good software testing process is important for defining quality and catching defects early before product release.
The article summarizes the key advantages of integrating IT support resources into the software testing lifecycle. It highlights how IT support teams have deep technical knowledge using testing frameworks, systems, networks, and more. By collaborating with developers and testers, they can apply this expertise to help assist processes like building robust testing environments, troubleshooting issues, identifying potential risks and creating test cases that accurately relay real-world scenarios.
I selected this particular resource because it reinforced topics we’ve covered in class about the importance of having well-designed testing processes and environments in place. The article’s examples resonated with me after completing last summer’s IT internship, where I saw firsthand how vital the support staff’s skills were for efficient testing and issue resolution when glitches started. Their ability to quickly diagnose and mediate problems minimized delays and facilitated a smooth development pipeline.
One of the most insightful sections outlined the advantages of integrating IT support beyond just bug detection. As we’ve discussed in our course lectures and materials, catching and fixing bugs is only one side of a comprehensive testing strategy aimed at delivering a high-quality product. The article demonstrated how collaborative IT-tester efforts enable a proactive, physical and mental approach for continuously validating software across the entire system and architecture. With their system-level expertise, IT staff can provide invaluable insights on creating more robust test cases that account for the complexities of production environments and real-world usage scenarios we may not anticipate.
What truly resonated was the need to tailor software testing processes and IT support services based on regional factors like the local talent pool, regulatory environment, and domain-specific challenges. This localized approach was obvious during my internship with Isto Biologics, as their IT support services catered their recommendations based on the market’s unique needs.
As I prepare for my future career, I now better appreciate the varied collaboration required for achieving comprehensive software testing and quality assurance. I expect to apply these learnings by prioritizing open communication between all stakeholders and advocating for strategic IT support integration from the onset of projects. Leveraging this relationship will be key to implementing robust testing processes that continuously validate quality while optimizing resources.

andicuni
April 28, 2024
https://www.softwaretestingmagazine.com/knowledge/how-integrating-it-support-enhances-software-testing-outcomes/

From the blog CS@Worcester – A Day in the Life as a CS Blogger by andicuni and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

Automated Python Testing

Going into my future projects, especially those for my summer fellowship, I have taken a distinct interest in Python. Throughout this course I have learned a great deal of how to test for object oriented compiler languages, using Java as our learning tool. I have wondered how testing might differ across different languages. And with a large project in Python coming up, I’d like to prioritize doing this the right way. I would like to practice in python testing to prepare. Luckily, recently posted last week, there was an article on the home page of Stickyminds surrounding python testing. The article’s title is Ensuring Reliable Cloud Applications: A Guide to Testing State Machines with Python by Konstantin Sakhchinskiy

Testing state machines in cloud applications involves heavy use of APIs. Python scripting is effective to help to ensure reliability, performance, and resilience. This is one way that an efficient library-heavy scripting language like Python would be useful for cloud applications. It is very effective at being implemented for many applications now utilizing the language itself, if only as an effective testing language. In the case of a cloud app for example, managing external browser profiles for automation and web scraping, users interact via API to execute their needed functions. Python can be used to expedite this process, as a way to manage state machines necessary to operate this cloud app. General approaches to testing on these state machines include separating output generation from state transition logic, focusing on individual states and transitions, testing each possible state transition, exploring boundary conditions, testing resilience to invalid input or disruptions, and checking system interaction within the broader context. The article also mentions some key tactics for mastering state machine testing, including testing for race conditions, assessing external disruptions and network challenges, handling heavy loads, and understanding technical details such as hidden states. Python scripting can automate testing processes. Using asyncio and httpx, scripts can simulate user interactions with the cloud service, testing responsiveness. Tailoring tests to specific needs and monitoring system performance using tools like Grafana and Kibana are essentia, and made more efficient with Python’s wide variety of usable systems. Overall, testing state machines is crucial for ensuring application reliability, and Python scripting offers effective ways to automate and simulate real-world scenarios for comprehensive testing.

My view on testing applications was expanded greatly by this article. The prevalence of automated testing libraries throughout other languages to enforce scripting was a surprise to me. And this article has helped me to understand the real role of specific and intentional testing of software. I was also surprised to find that state machines were very important to understanding how to test and break down code, as this is something I learned a lot about in the fall. I am not working with external applications or languages outside of Python for this project, so I will not utilize these libraries to automate my testing, but going forward this knowledge is imperative.

Source:

https://www.stickyminds.com/article/ensuring-reliable-cloud-applications-guide-testing-state-machines-python

From the blog CS@Worcester – WSU CS Blog: Ben Gelineau by Ben Gelineau and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.